In a significant policy shift effective March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has eliminated additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Previously, candidates could earn 50 to 200 extra points for such job offers, which often played a pivotal role in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency .
Implications of the Policy Change
The removal of LMIA-backed job offer points aims to enhance the integrity and fairness of the Express Entry system. While valid job offers remain valuable, they no longer provide direct CRS point advantages. This change necessitates that candidates focus more on core human capital factors to improve their CRS scores .
Strategies to Enhance Your CRS Score
Given the recent changes, candidates should consider the following strategies to bolster their CRS scores:
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Improve Language Proficiency: Achieving higher scores in English (IELTS) or French (TEF) can significantly increase CRS points. Notably, proficiency in both languages can yield additional points .
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Pursue Further Education: Obtaining additional educational qualifications, such as a master’s degree or a professional certification, can enhance the education component of the CRS score .
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Gain Additional Work Experience: Accumulating more years of skilled work experience, particularly in Canada, can positively impact the CRS score .
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Secure a Provincial Nomination: Receiving a nomination from a Canadian province or territory grants an additional 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA
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Learn French: Acquiring proficiency in French can earn up to 50 additional points under Canada’s bilingual bonus, providing a competitive edge in the Express Entry pool .
Conclusion
The recent removal of LMIA-backed job offer points from the Express Entry system underscores the importance of focusing on core human capital factors to enhance CRS scores. By strategically improving language skills, pursuing further education, gaining relevant work experience, securing provincial nominations, and learning French, candidates can strengthen their profiles and improve their chances of obtaining permanent residency in Canada.
For a detailed discussion on these updates and strategies to increase your CRS score, watch our comprehensive video:
